Schools in Worcester opened two hours later than usual today, giving highway crews more time to clean the light blanket of snow that covered the region overnight. Most areas of Central Mass. received less than 6 inches of snow.

Oxford and Sutton were among a handful of other schools on a 2-hour delay. Most communities north of Worcester had a normal starting time.

Communities in northern Central Massachusetts were spared, while towns south of Worcester received up to 6 inches. The National Weather Service is reporting overnight accumulation of 1 inch in Clinton and 6 inches in Milford. The service's most recent reading for Worcester is 1.8 inches at midnight.

The National Weather service reports that Hanover and Norwell had about 18 inches of snow by this morning, with Sharon, Weymouth and Rockland all approaching the foot and a half mark.

State offices are open today.

Buses of the Worcester Regional Transit Authority are on snow routes. More info at www.therta.com.

A National Weather Service's wind chill advisory is in effect until 10 this morning. The high temperature in Worcester is expected to be 12 degrees today with wind chill values making it feel much colder. It was 5 degrees in Worcester at 8:15 this morning with a wind chill of -15.

The cold spell comes after 10 days of above-average temperatures, in which the mercury climbed to 57 degrees on one day, just one degree short of the record for that day.

Worcester has already hit record low temperatures this month. On Jan. 3, the temperature dipped to -3 degrees, the lowest temperature for that day since 1904.

The bitter cold and dry weather is expected tonight into Friday, according to forecasters. Temperatures are expected to rise close to the 30s for Saturday. There is a chance for scattered snow showers on Saturday followed by another blast of arctic air on Sunday.

Parking bans are in effect in Worcester and Webster. The Fitchburg and Southbridge bans were lifted this morning.

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